One of the first Scout Active Support Units to be set up was the Apex Challenge Scout Active Support Unit in South Yorkshire. Here their new Scout Active Support Manager Matt Richards explains why it was the perfect solution for them.
Ever since 2002, we had been running Apex Challenge events simply as a group of enthusiastic leaders from a number of different Scout Groups. What started as a small-scale local competition has quickly developed and expanded into the national weekend-long adventure events which we run now. Each Apex event attracts hundreds of Explorer Scouts and Network members from across the UK, and now the Scout Active Support structure gives us the perfect framework for our organising team.
Setting up our new Scout Active Support Unit was very straightforward with the support of our County Commissioner, Andy Moore. Our core organising team have taken on the initial roles, but more importantly it has enabled us to encourage others who helped out to now register to be part of The Scout Association. Over the years we'd attracted dozens of helpers - many of whom hadn't ever been involved in Scouting before. Now they have joined as part of the Apex Challenge Scout Active Support Unit, and already we're planning to help at a number of other County events as well as running our Apex Challenge competitions.
The flexible Scout Active Support format enabled us to maintain control over the event's finances and also keep our separate charity number (helpful for attracting grants for the event). It also provides us with a clearer idea of how the Apex Challenge now fits into The Scout Association structure. And with my appointment as Scout Active Support Manager now approved it gives us more time for the real challenge of planning and expanding our top adventure events!
For more information about the event please see www.apexchallenge.co.uk
For County Commissioner, Andy Moore, the Apex Challenge Scout Active Support Unit is a great asset to County support as Laura McManus discovers.
What made you start the transition to Scout Active Support so soon?
We wanted to get started with Scout Active Support as we had a group of adult volunteers running two events a year and who were attracting new volunteers that needed incorporating into the Movement. The new SAS structure was perfect to fit our and their needs.
From my side it was great to tie this group of adults formally into the County giving two way support by the fact that in their Service Agreement they have undertaken the support of two County events as well as organising the Apex Challenge.
Were there any challenges in this process?
We had no challenges we just had a discussion and put all the information on the table. We then had two or three meetings with the key leaders and myself, then a meeting with the County Administrator to address the issues of membership 
and appointments.
What are the benefits of having a Scout Active Support Unit in your County?
The benefit gained from this is support on our other County events from a fresh active group of people who have the flair to add excitement to what they deliver.
Can you suggest any top tips for any other manager in Scouting who is about the start the transition from Scout Fellowship to Scout Active Support?
My tips on how to progress this would be to debate and discuss this from both sides. It helped us decide the model we required to fit this Unit.
We'd love to hear of any updates about your progress towards Scout Active Support, please email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
